Posts Tagged: Lennon

Celtic manager Neil Lennon has come out in support of his countryman David Moyes after the Scot has faced a lot of pressure since taking over at Manchester United. Ahead of the club’s meeting with Aston Villa at Old Trafford on Saturday, fans have revealed about a protest by flying a banner on a plane. Even though only a small group of supporters have turned against their manager following a run of poor results against rivals, a majority of the United supporters appeared to be behind David Moyes. The club has been going through one of the worst seasons in recent history.

Aside from losses against the likes of West Brom at home, United have also suffered very poor results at the hands of their arch rivals Liverpool and Manchester City. Even though they have qualified for the Champions League quarter-finals, many reckon that it is an astonishing achievement that the club has come this far under Moyes. So far, the signings that he has made have also not worked out with Marouane Fellaini especially coming in for heavy criticism. Neil Lennon, who is about to win the Scottish league title with a record amount of points, says that a manager should be given time to implement his ideas.

“I have a little understanding of what David Moyes is going through but I can’t second guess how he’s feeling. With all managerial jobs, when you go through a rough period, it’s a lonely place. What I’m not happy about is the way people are rounding on him. You don’t mind constructive criticism but when it gets to the point they’re trying to humiliate him that leaves a sour taste in the mouth. He deserves a lot more than that and should be treated with more respect,” said Lennon, who has been linked with a Premier league job.

Celtic manager Neil Lennon has said that he is extremely happy with the year that is about to finish. The 2012 year will certainly be special for Celtic due to a number of reasons. Not only have they managed to win the league title ahead of their arch rivals Rangers – who have since been relegated to the potency of Scottish football – but they have also have had famous victories against the likes of Barcelona. Celtic have also managed to make it into the last 16 stage of the Champions League at a time when they were not given a chance by many.

For the manager Neil Lennon, the year 2012 will also be extremely special because he managed to win his 100th game as a manager in recent victory over Hearts. Celtic will be playing against Hibernian in the final game of 2012. The Celtic manager has also said that he will be looking to give his team in double figures advantage in the title race if the results go their way in the final matches of the next week. After the match against Motherwell, the club will be having a slight break in the fixture schedule, but Lennon revealed that he will be utilising it to watch other players.

“No. January’s coming and I’ll be away watching players. I’m hoping to get a week away with the family but even then I might have to go and watch games while I’m away. Even when you’re on holiday, the chief executive rings every day – ‘What about this player? What about that player? Can we get this contract signed?’ Maybe what I’ve got to learn is how to deconstruct the week a little bit better,” said the Celtic manager, whose team have 43 points from the 21 matches played so far.

The Celtic manager Neil Lennon has said that he will have no worries about stepping down from his post if the fans demand him to do so. The criticism of the Celtic manager has grown in recent weeks after the poor run of form, which has seen them take just one point from the last three home matches. They were surprisingly beaten by Inverness 1-0 during the weekend. Neil Lennon received a barrage of criticism from the Celtic fans near the touchline. After the match, he has said that he would be willing to leave the club the moment fans want him to do so.

He has also called the criticism levelled at him as an acceptable. He has said that fans should not be extremely fickle and should have some patience when it comes to the manager. It was not long ago that Neil Lennon was praised in various quarters for the spectacular away win over Spartak Moscow, while the crowning jewel came in the form of win over Barcelona – widely regarded as the best team in the world – at Celtic Park. However, their league form has suffered in recent weeks. Despite this, they stay top of the table having played one game less than Aberdeen.

“I understand supporters’ frustrations. If they’re not happy with me and want me to go, I’ll go, simple as that. These players are giving everything for the club. They don’t always get it right. I know there’s a lack of consistency in the league. I’ve just had it out with the players. Our play in the final third was poor. The lack of patience shown by some people baffles me at times,” said Neil Lennon after the Inverness defeat. Celtic will be having a game against heart of Midlothian away from home in the next match.

The Celtic manager Neil Lennon has said that he is extremely happy with the performance of his team during the last two matches, which has seen them not only go top of the table following their 1-0 win over Hearts during the weekend, but also get the first away victory in the Champions league after a long time. Celtic managed to get a 3-2 win over Spartak Moscow against all the odds in the midweek action. Due to the tough trip, they were expected to struggle in the match against Hearts during the weekend. However, Neil Lennon’s men battled to a 1-0 win over the championship contenders.

Speaking after the match, the Celtic manager was visibly delighted with the performance of his players in the last two matches. Neil Lennon immediately said after the Spartak Moscow win that he was one of the proudest men in all of Europe. His happiness has been increased even more following this victory. As a result of this victory, Celtic now have a two-point advantage over given him into second place. Even more impressive is the fact that Celtic have this advantage after having played a game less than their title contender.

“I’m delighted. It’s a magnificent win and tops off a fantastic week for us all. The players have been tremendous. You could see there was a bit of fatigue kicking in second half and I totally understand that. We are delighted with the win and the clean sheet. We had chances to put the game away and at 1-0 you are always a bit concerned, but Georgios is a big player for us. Gary (Hooper) looked a little bit tired but the strength of the squad is good,” said the Celtic manager after the win over Hearts. Celtic have played only eight league matches this campaign.

The Celtic manager Neil Lennon has said that he is extremely happy with the outcome of the group stages draw for the Champions League that was recently conducted in Monaco. The draw for the 2012 group stages of the Champions League was recently held in Monaco. Celtic were part of the small group of teams taking part in the draw. It was a very exciting moment for Celtic given that they were taking part in the Champions League once again after a gap of four seasons. There have been suggestions that Neil Lennon would be extremely satisfied with both an easy draw and also a tough draw.

Hence, the manager has said that he is not very disappointed with the probability of facing Barcelona in the group stages. Facing tough teams certainly does not get any better than facing against Barcelona. Apart from this, Celtic also have to contest against the likes of Benfica and Spartak Moscow if they are to come anywhere close to sealing the last 16 spot in the Champions League. The club recently secured a spot in the group stages of the competition after beating the Swedish club Helsingborg 4-0 on aggregate. Celtic, thus become the only Scottish club to be in the Premier European competition.

“We have familiar with all three clubs, we have recent history against all three of those teams. I remember under Gordon (Strachan) we played Barcelona and Benfica and we knocked out Moscow in a play-off. It’s a tough, tough group but all the teams play football so it should be attractive to watch. Let’s not get carried away, let’s see what fixtures are coming up,” said Neil Lennon after the draw for the group stages of the Champions League was announced. Many have already started booking the dates for the match against Barcelona.